Glossary term
CMMS
Also called: computerized maintenance management system
Short definition
A CMMS is software for planning, executing, and recording maintenance work—usually with assets, work orders, parts usage, and history—so maintenance operations can be measured instead of reconstructed from memory.
Related terms
Expanded explanation
Full definition and contextExpand
CMMS value shows up when the system becomes the operational spine: PM schedules generate work, technicians close with structured outcomes, and reporting does not require spreadsheet surgery.
Many “CMMS problems” are adoption problems: templates too complex, duplicate assets, or finance still living outside the workflow.
For equipment-centric contractors, the boundary between CMMS and FSM blurs when dispatch, recurring contracts, and billing must align to the same asset truth.
Industry relevance
Useful language for facilities, mechanical, and multi-craft teams comparing maintenance-first tooling versus dispatch-first field platforms.
Industry tags: field service general, facilities